Spring-tire.



J. N. EUWER.

SPRING TIRE.

APPMcATloN man AuG.-lo. 1914.

1,147', 1 54. Patented July 2o, 1915.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH Co.,wAsHlNGTON, D.C.

N maar earns'v rarnnr erre JAMES N. EUWER, OF NEW YORK, N.

fermare-Tran.

Application filed. August 10, 1914. Serial No. 855,990.`

the object of the invention is-to provide simple, efficient and economical means whereby the desired resiliency `is obtained by metallic springs located in the rim` of the wheel, thus avoiding various objectionable characteristics inherent in the `pneumatic tire.

The invention consists in certain novel features of construction and arrangement 2o by which the vabove objects are attained, to

be hereinafter described andclaimed.

The accompanying drawings forma part of this specification and show an approved l form of the invention.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a wheel constructed in accordance with the invention, certain parts being removed, and partly in vertical section. The succeeding figures are on a larger scale. Fig. 2 is a vertical section corresponding to aportion of Fig. 1, and partly in side view. Fig.

. 3 is a transverse section taken onthe `line 3-3 in Fig. 2. Figa is a side elevation of one of the radially movable membersor sections. Fig. 5 is a corresponding side view. Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectionpthrough one of such members and a portion of the rim, and partly in plan view, the planejof section being indicated `by the line 64-6 in Fig. 5. Y

Similar letters of reference indicate the same parts in all the figures. The device comprises a series of radially movable sections or members of peculiar construction mounted and guided in the wheel-rim and forced yieldingly outward by leaf springs arranged annularly on the rim and having outwardly curved portions coacting with such members.

A is the wheel-rim of channel form having continuous peripheral flanges A1^A1 carrying on the inner face of each a series of bosses or lugs A2 A2.

B `B` are the` movable members stamped by suitable dies to the U-form shown, having the end portions or legs B1 B1 adapted to fitk Specification of Letters Patent.

withinthe rim-flanges and slotted as `at b to receive the lugs A2 :by which the sections are guided 1n their radial movements and ksuch movements limited. Each member 0r Patented July 20,1915. i

section B is arched transversely of the rim and is provided with 'an outwardly project-` ing convex ridgeB2 which receives the impact with the roadbed, and the sections are ach reinforced by a brace or stiifening plate B2. The brace is held by riveting the wings Bt B4' thereon to the leg portions, and the brace is continuedas ears B5 B5 serving as supports or bearings fora transverse antifriction roller C mountedl in suchears with liberty to revolve. .The slots b are formed by slitting the metal of the leg portion B1 and bendinginwardly the flanges thusproduced, as at BG B6.

On the outer circumferential face of the rim A between the flanges A1 A1 are mounted a series of annular springs D extending circumferentially side by side andl which may be understood to be each joined at the or simply ends to form a continuous ring, lapped at such ends without fastening. Each springv is of steel, preferably composed of a plurality of leaves or layers, and is of serpentine form in edge view having a series of waves or outwardlycurved portions D1 alternated with the inwardly curved portions in contact with the rim. The springs y are loosely secured to the rim by any suitable secured to the leg portions BlL B1 and ex-` tending lnto the interior of the convex ridge means, shown as staples E inclosing the springs at the inwardly curved parts and fastened to the rim.'

Six springs are shown arrangedin pairs, the arches D1 ofthe central pair coinciding and the arches of the intermediate pair in coincidence, `and the arches of the outer pair similarly located, with the arches of each pair in advance of the preceding a distance equal to the distance between the centers of adjacent rollers C C. The latter are of sufficient length to contact with the arches of any one of said pairs of springs, thus peri mitting the sections to be uniform and be located in any portion of the rim without special selection. This arrangementfof the springs permits the outward curves or arches D1 to be comparatively long and thus affords a degree of resiliency not easily attained by shorter arches.` i

`The compression of the arches at the point of contact of the sections with the roadbed, causes the arch to flatten andby the loose connection with the rim the springm is permitted to move longitudinally at that point and by increasing the strain on thek adjacent arches distribute the strain among thev adjacent sections.

InV order to present an appearance some- What similar to the pneumatic tire itis intended to replace, the sections B B with the flanges A1L A1 of the rim are inclosed in a casing or shoe Fwvhich may be of rubber and fabric, leather, or other suitable material, extending under the margins ofthe rim A atreachside and. secured tothe inner face thereef, andat. each side of the rim are annular cheek-pieces G of Wood or other material. applied on the outer faces of the aangegane 'and rounded to aid in imitattire.y

rElie convex. ridge on each of the sections B servesfan important. function in offering a definite projecting contact `point for the vvheel.` 'Ivvo or more ridgesof adjacent secing fthe appearance of the usual air-lled tions Will always be presented to the road-V bed',: each backed. up by the arches of its pair ofsprings, andi favorablyarranged for insuring ai relatively considerable radial movement under compression.

The rim "and sections are preferably of coldrolled steel, andthe latter are engaged with the lugs on the former by springing the leg" portionsinvvardly to permit their insertion. Aften such introduction they are held bythe engagement of the lugs in the slots b.

rIhe rollers'C permit the slight circumferentiaLmovenientpf the springs fD Without undue friction.

'Ihe shape of the sections B may be varied,V

andfthe anti-friction rollers omitted. Any

number of springs D D may be employedV saidflgs', a transverse brace in each of said" sectionsai roller mounted in said brace, and a continuous flat spring ofannular serpentine form loosely mounted on saidrim Within saidsectio'ns UWith its arches arranged to coact With said rollers andresist 'yieldingly the 'invv'ard'radial movements of said' sections.

'2Iii`at vehicle Wheel of the Acharacter set forth, a rim having peripheral flanges, a seriesl of .l lugs onfthe inner faces of said .Copies of this patent may be obtained .for

flanges, a series of U-sliaped sections received between said flanges and having radial slots in tlieleg-"portioiisf such sections receiving saidjlugs, a roller mounted transversely in saisections, and a continuous flat spring of annular serpentine form loosely mounted on said rim Within said sections with its arches arranged to coact vvitli said rollers and resist yieldingly the inward radial movements of said sections. 1 3. In a vehicle Wheel ofthe character set forth, a` rim, a series. of sections radially guided therein, and a plurality of4 continuous'flat springs ofannular serpentine form arranged in pairs and loosely mounted. on

said rim Withthe arches of adjacentment:

bers of the different pairsalternately engageable With said sections. e. In a vehicle Wheel of. the characterset forth, a rim having peripheral flanges, a se` ries of lugs on the inner faces 'of said.` flanges, aseries of sections mountedbetiveen said flanges and lhaving radial slots in which said 'lugs are engaged, and. a plurality of continuous flat springs. of annular serpentine form arrangedin pairs and loosely mountedV on 'said rim with the archesof.` adjacent members of the differentfp'airs alternating? and arranged to resistyieldingly the inward radial mbvementsof said sections.`

5.' In a vehicle Wheel ofthe character set forth, a rim having peripheral. flanges, a

series of lugs on the inner. faces of "saidr flanges, a series of sections mounted between said flanges and having radial slots in Which said lugs are engaged, a plurality of. flatl springs of annularserpentine form arranged in pairs andy loosely mountedon saidJrini Within said sections With. the arches o f' adjacent members of the different pairs alternating and arrangedfto resist yieldingly the inward' radial movements, of saidv sections,

and a flexible annular shoe inclosing said sections.

6. In a vehicle Wheel of the character set forth, a rim, a series "of sectionsradially guided therein, a plurality of'Y continuousflat springs of annular serpentinefor'm'aie ranged in ypairs and loosely mounted on said rim with the arches of adjacent members of the,different pairs alternately engagea-ble with 'said sections, and rollerscarried by said sections for engagement by said arches. A

In testimony that I "claim the invention ence of tvvo Witnesses.

above set forthI affix my signature, inxpres-V Witnesses 'CHARLns R. SnARLn, HELEN. V. RICE.

ve cents each, by addressingtlie ,Coxnmissionernof,Patents, Washington,jD,C., i' 

